By John Hayden
You may not have known his name, but you likely recognized his smile. You may not have been lucky enough to spend time with him, but you’ve likely been touched by his actions. Leo Peralta was a new addition to South Florida’s LGBTQIA+ community but his presence impacted many. He died over the weekend at the home he shared with Chris Caputo, a city commissioner for Wilton Manors.
Leo came to South Florida from Havana, Cuba, and almost immediately met and began dating Chris. They were seen together all over the Wilton Manors area, from pool parties to fundraisers, even the pages of OutClique. His English wasn’t so great, but his smile, warmth, and vibe communicated much of what he wanted to say. But his English wasn’t that bad, either. Despite arriving from Cuba late last year, he was able to become a U.S. citizen. He took his oath of citizenship just weeks before he died.
Caputo called him his ‘future fiancé’ and the two were inseparable. They recently made a sensational appearance in Truck Stop Sally’s Sex Party, at The Foundry theater in Wilton Manors. Ronnie Larsen, the show’s producer and playwright, shared his grief and a clip of Leo on social media, saying, “Leo it was a joy being on stage with you and I’m so glad I have this clip I can share. You brightened up the stage and the world and you will be terribly missed.”
As the partner of a prominent politician, Peralta quickly became a fixture on the Wilton Manors social scene. Plenty of pictures show the couple in tuxedos and suits at events supporting a wide range of causes and organizations. But they weren’t just partners in love, they were partners in business. Leo was preparing to help Caputo open Peak Fitness in Wilton Manors.
Mourned & Remembered
While he was not a politician himself, Leo was deeply in love with one. It was that love that motivated Caputo to attend the city commission meeting on August 23, 2022, despite only being a couple of days after the death. “By his own admission, he never understood a word we talked about when it came to ordinances and resolutions,” Caputo said in a statement read by Mayor Scott Newton. “But he knew it mattered to me and our residents. And so, he came to understand.” Mayor Newton added his own condolences, saying this is “a grim reminder to hold the ones you love close and live life to its fullest.”
Unseen Struggles
Despite his happy outward appearance, Leo was constantly struggling on the inside. In announcing Peralta’s suicide, Caputo said, “His head sometimes made his heart hurt in ways he didn’t understand. He was working on that, but the pain became too much for him to bear too soon.”
Now, he is working to give meaning to Leo’s death by helping others struggling with mental wellness. “His life was given to save others with his struggles. I am grateful beyond words. It is only through your support that I am still here today.” As part of that, he is creating the Peralta Peak Purpose Fund, which will raise money to support agencies and programs addressing mental wellness in South Florida’s LGBTQIA+ community. He is partnering with Our Fund Foundation to oversee and administer the funds.
On Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 4:30PM, there will be a Celebration of Life for Leo at Richardson Park, located at 1937 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Donations to the fund will also be accepted there. Caputo has received an outpouring of support from friends and strangers alike. While he hasn’t been able to thank and acknowledge each one individually, he did say, “The community has been kinder and more supportive than I could have ever imagined. Your show of support is beyond overwhelming. I am grateful beyond words. I struggle to hold it together while receiving the love you have to share. I feel at a deep level your love for me and your love for Leo.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call or text 988 and you will be connected to trained counselors.
